Water Companies (Social Tariffs) Bill

Key Points

• Defines a legal duty for water companies to provide affordable social tariffs to eligible low-income customers.
• Sets criteria for eligibility and how tariffs are calculated, with a straightforward process to access them.
• Enhances regulator oversight (Ofwat) with monitoring, data reporting on uptake and impact, and penalties for non-compliance.
• Includes protections for tariff users (such as safeguards against disconnections or aggressive debt collection) and requires transparency about tariffs and uptake.

Progress

The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to the committee stage for detailed consideration, followed by report and third readings, before potentially moving to the Lords.